My NBA Playoff Prediction
The NBA Final are right around the corner as 8 teams remain the the playoffs, but which team will come out on top? In the East remains the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks where the Cavs are up 2-0 in the series, The Cavs continue to look impressive against other teams as Lebron James, along side Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are beginning to build that competitive playoff chemistry.
If the Atlanta Hawks want to beat the tough Cavaliers team, they will have to keep attacking the paint, play lock down defense, and close out hard on the Cavaliers shooters who lit it up in game 2 of the series where the Cavs shot a record of 25 3 pointers in a playoff game.
In the East, the Miami Heat take on the Toronto Raptors where the Heat lead the series 1-0. Dwayne Wade continues to show great leadership on his team by not only being a vocal leader, but also by leading by example, He continues to show that he is as competitive as he was when he entered the NBA his rookie year in 2003.
With scorers along side Wade, Joe Johnson, Goran Dragic and Hassuan Whiteside defending the paint, the Miami Heat look to make a push towards the NBA Finals but first let's see if they can continue to win in the 4th quarter against the Raptors.
From my perspective watching the Raptors side of the ball, Kyle Lowry seems to not bring that same fire that we seen in last years playoffs. Lowry will have to increase his points and assist to help Derozan compete against this tough Miami Heat defense. I expect these two players to step it up in the next few games in this series or else the Heat will continue to stay on fire.
In the West, we have the returning champions Golden State Warrior vs the Portland Trailblazers where the Warriors lead 2-0. Even with Stephen Curry out. The Golden State Warriors have proved they can still win without the MVP. With the Trail Blazers down 2-0, they seek to win back in Portland where the series continues. Damian Lillard has to rowdy up the team and bring everyone on board.
I noticed that the best teams in the NBA will overcome adversity in the last 6 minutes of a game. Might I say that I am impressed that the Trail Blazers have made it this far in the playoffs thus Lillard losing all four of his starting playoff team from last year with Aldridge, Matthews, Batum, and Lopez, the Trail Blazers still have hope to compete with the defending champions.
Last but no least the Oklahoma City Thunder vs the San Antonio Spurs, where the Spurs lead the series 1-0. How do these veterans of the San Antonio Spurs continue to win against teams who are more athletic then them? Greg Popovich......'
The brains behind this fascinating team as they somehow always exceed over the more athletic teams. With the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge, along side Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and the legendary Tim Duncan. This team is built for the playoff system and seek to shut down the explosive Oklahoma City Thunder.
In my opinion, Oklahoma City has the most explosive team in the NBA. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are top players in the league and who can score 50 points at will. The Thunder also have great role players and a bench that can start other teams in the NBA. Yet, this team has not won a championship yet. The roster they currently have has been one of the most elite starting 5 I've seen in a long time, we will see if they can defeat the San Antonio Spurs.
If this team loses early in the playoffs this year, I believe Kevin Durant will leave OKC. The previous MVP deserves a ring and is desperate for one.
My prediction for the NBA Finals will be the Cleveland Cavaliers vs the San Antonio Spurs. Now.....My prediction is that, IF Stephen Curry remains to play injured and affects his game of play then the San Antonio Spurs will rise above the Warriors. The Spurs have continued to play smart, patient, and team basketball under Popovich.
I have full faith that the Cleveland Cavaliers will make it back to the finals due to their experienced team of players who came up short in last years playoffs. Losing to the Golden State Warriors gives them that chip on their shoulder needed to show no mercy when defeating the opponent. As long as Lebron James remains injury free I have no doubt they will make it back to the finals but I predict that a West Coast team will win the finals.
